Under a food security emergency, the Department of Agriculture (DA) began selling National Food Authority (NFA) rice in the City of San Juan.
According to the report by RH 52 Edniel Parrosa on Monday, February 24, the city was the first among the other local governments in Metro Manila to release the NFA rice for PHP 33 per kilo.
However, instead of buying it in “tingi” or in small and affordable quantities, the DA mentioned that the local government units (LGU) would sell the rice per sack for PHP 1,650 per 50 kilos. Despite this, San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora assured that they are willing to sell the rice in “tingi” if that is what the San Juanenyos demand.
“Kung meron naman po na mag request ng tingi-tingi, kaya din naman po namin gawin ‘yon. It’s just a matter of proper inventory and accounting,” Zamora stated.
Meanwhile, DA Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel said that authorities would monitor violators and assured them they would be held accountable for taking advantage of the situation.
“Hindi talaga dapat ‘yon, bawal ‘yon. Siyempre kung merong mga reports na ganyan, huhulihin talaga natin. It’s not supposed to be sold. Okay lang kung being sold pa lang, P33 to P35 pa rin ang benta nila,” he said.
WATCH: Tiniyak ni DA Sec. Francisco Tiu Laurel na ipahuhuli nito ang mga negosyanteng mananamantala sa ‘per sakong’ benta ng NFA rice, gaya sa San Juan. | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/yzGKyttK8S
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 24, 2025
In a press release last week, the DA announced the kickoff of distributing rice stocks from the NFA to LGUs. This was in response to the food security emergency declaration, seeking to restore domestic rice prices to their pre-July 2023 levels.
NFA rice sa ilalim ng Food Security Emergency, sisimulan nang ibenta sa Lungsod ng San Juan | RH 52 @ednielparrosa, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/KjnnHZ3P8t
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 23, 2025
